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Single-port access (SPA) laparoscopic surgery and vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) have many advantages. The objective of the present study is to compare patient characteristics, operative details, and postoperative outcomes between the two surgical methods. Patients who were planned to undergo vNOTES or SPA laparoscopic surgery between April 2020 and June 2021 were prospectively enrolled. The surgical method was determined by a single surgeon after imaging results evaluation and a physical exam. Those who had favorable pelvic conditions without any evidence of adhesion were scheduled for vNOTES. A total of 33 patients underwent a vNOTES hysterectomy while 40 patients received a SPA laparoscopic hysterectomy. All surgeries were performed by one surgeon. The proportion of the patients who had a history of vaginal delivery was significantly higher in the vNOTES group. The operative time for port installation was significantly longer in the vNOTES group, but the total operative time was shorter compared to the SPA group. The postoperative pain scores 12 h after the operations were also significantly lower in the vNOTES group. Other surgical outcomes were comparable between the two groups. The present study demonstrated that the early operative outcomes of vNOTES hysterectomy were comparable to those of SPA hysterectomy. It also highlights the importance of adequate patient selection when determining surgical methods based on imaging results and physical examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the anti-cancer effects of tetraarsenic hexoxide (TAO, As4O6) in cervical cancer cell lines and in a series of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models. Methods: Human cervical cancer cell lines, including HeLa, SiHa and CaSki, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), were used to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of TAO. Cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2) and 9 (MMP-9) were assessed. The tumor weights of the PDXs that were given TAO were measured. The PDXs included primary squamous cell carcinoma, primary adenocarcinoma, recurrent squamous cell carcinoma, and recurrent adenocarcinoma. Results: TAO significantly decreased cellular proliferation and increased apoptosis in cervical cancer cell lines and HUVEC. The functional studies on the cytotoxicity of TAO revealed that it inhibited the activation of Akt and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). It also decreased the concentrations of MMP-2 in both cervical cancer cell lines and HUVECs. Active caspase-3 and p62 were both increased by the treatment of TAO, indicating increased rates of apoptosis and decreased rates of autophagy, respectively. In vivo studies with PDXs revealed that TAO significantly decreased tumor weight for both primary squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the cervix. However, this anti-cancer effect was not seen in PDXs with recurrent cancers. Nevertheless, the combination of TAO with cisplatin significantly decreased tumor weight in PDX models for both primary and recurrent cancers. Conclusions: TAO exerted inhibitory effects on angiogenesis, cellular migration, and autophagy, and it showed stimulatory effects on apoptosis. Overall, it demonstrated anti-cancer effects in animal models for human cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Despite the rise in community health problems in populations living in urban slums, activities of community health nurses are limited in Bangladesh. This study aimed to describe how a nurse‐managed health center (NMHC) was developed in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Design: An exploratory‐descriptive research design was used. Sample and Measurements: The commitment phase was conducted to establish partnerships in the community. Involvement of community leaders and members and partnerships with various organizations were established successfully in the commitment phase. The assessment phase was completed by implementing personal interviews, community site visits, and household surveys of 172 households in the community. Action plans were developed and strategies were followed to change the community during the planning phase. Results: Household survey results showed that community people suffered from non‐communicable diseases, risk behaviors, and inadequate housing conditions. The high‐priority community needs included nutrition and chronic management services, behavior change programs, and a clean environment. Action plans for health programs based on community needs and strategies such as securing manpower and equipment were developed. Conclusions: The systematic process of creating a NMHC, and the necessity of the community health nurse's role in responding to health needs of the urban poor in Dhaka, Bangladesh was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate silicon oxycarbide nanotubes that incorporate Si, SiC, and silicon oxycarbide phases, which exhibit near zero-strain volume expansion, leading to reduced electrolyte decomposition. The composite effectively accommodates the formation of c-Li15Si4, as validated by in situ TEM analyses and electrochemical tests, thereby proposing a promising solution for Li-ion battery anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper reports on results of a health system strengthening implementation research initiative conducted the Upper East Region of northern Ghana. Transformative interventions to accelerate and strengthen the health delivery were implemented that included empowering community leaders and members to actively participate in health delivery, strengthening the referral systems through the provision of community transport systems, providing basic medical equipment to community clinics, and improving the skills of critical health staff through training. Methods: A mixed method design was used to evaluate the impact of the interventions. A quantitative evaluation employed a flexible research design to test the effects of various component activities of the project. To assess impact, a pre-versus–post randomized cluster survey design was used. Qualitative research was conducted with focus group data and individual in depth interviews to gauge the views of various stakeholders associated with the implementation process. Results: After intervention, significant improvements in key maternal and child health indicators such as antenatal and postnatal care coverage were observed and increases in the proportion of deliveries occurring in health facilities and assisted by skilled health personnel relative to pre-intervention conditions. There was also increased uptake of oral rehydration salts (ORS) for treatment of childhood diarrhoea, as well as marked reductions in the incidence of upper respiratory infections (URI). Conclusions: A pre-and post-evaluation of impact suggests that the programme had a strong positive impact on the functioning of primary health care. Findings are consistent with the proposition that the coverage and content of the Ghana Community-based Health Planning and Services programme was improved by program interventions and induced discernable changes in key indicators of health system performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To examine couple interactions to predict wives' contraceptive use as well as that of their husbands in rural Ethiopia. Background Previous studies stated that men's power and their preferences regarding family planning have a significant role in the adoption of contraception, as well as women's general reproductive health. Spousal communication on reproductive matters helped couples to be aware of each other's perspectives and enhanced the usage of family planning through shared decision-making. Design A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to analyse the Actor and Partner effects within the marital dyad. The study sample included 389 married couples who were recruited from households in seven enumeration areas randomly selected from Hetosa Woreda in Ethiopia. Methods We used a face-to-face interview survey. Data were collected between 22 October and 21 November 2010 and analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-squared test, t-test, Pearson's correlation and the Actor-Partner interdependence model. Results There were significant differences in perceptions about family planning, contraceptive knowledge and contraceptive use between wives and husbands. Wives' perceptions about family planning affected theirs as well as that of their husbands' knowledge and use of contraceptive methods. However, husbands' perceptions about family planning did not affect their knowledge and use of contraceptive methods, but did influence their wives'. Conclusions The application of couple data enhanced our understanding of the complex interactions between wives and husbands, which may lead to novel dyadic-based interventions to improve family planning practice. Relevance to clinical practice Couples must be educated and informed not only about the adoption of contraception, but also about reproductive rights and responsibilities through changes in educational and motivational strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]